At Cortland Hearing Aids in Cortland, New York, we understand that complete audiology services include more than just hearing aids. That’s why we offer treatments for a variety of hearing issues, including tinnitus.

What is Tinnitus?

You hear thousands of sounds a day, from songs on the radio to a ringing phone. But, what if you are hearing noise that is not really there? That is tinnitus: a perceived ringing or other noise in the ears when no external sound exists. Have you ever heard ringing in your ears after attending a loud concert? That is a form of tinnitus. For some people, this is an everyday problem that can be distracting and frustrating.

If you suffer from it, you are not alone. About 1 in 5 people have it. For some, it lasts for a few minutes, for others, it’s constant. There’s no cure, but tinnitus treatments exist to treat and help sufferers cope with the condition.

At Cortland Hearing Aids, in Cortland, New York, our staff is trained extensively in tinnitus and can provide tinnitus evaluations, treatments, and counseling. When you come to us for tinnitus treatment, we start with an evaluation to determine the severity of your condition and which treatment options are available to you.

Testing

The first step to treating tinnitus is a matching test. To further understand the sounds you’re hearing, we play a series of sounds and attempt to match the exact pitch and loudness you’re hearing. We then evaluate the results and use them to design a tinnitus treatment plan tailored specifically to you.

Treatment

Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss. If this is the case for you, treatment may include hearing aids, which can be programmed to cancel out the ringing noises.

We can also recommend therapy in the form of sound machines to treat tinnitus. These devices provide a soothing background noise, like the sound of a waterfall or falling rain, to help you manage your tinnitus and reduce the stress it can create. We can also show you the correct ways to use ear plugs and other devices to help with tinnitus.

Counseling

Living with tinnitus is not easy. Unwanted sounds that no one else can hear that you cannot stop by flipping a switch or walking away can be incredibly stressful. That is why we offer tinnitus counseling to help you manage your condition.

You may not be able to completely eliminate the ringing, buzzing, or roaring sounds in your ear, but you can control your reaction to them. Tinnitus counseling teaches you strategies to cope with tinnitus and reduce the stress associated with it. Tinnitus can be tough, but you’re not alone.